AfroMedia Initiative Honors Late Journalist Mohamed Mounir with Training Course for Sudanese Media Professionals

The AfroMedia Initiative for Journalism and Media recently concluded a training course for Sudanese media professionals and broadcasters residing in Egypt. This program was dedicated to the memory of the late journalist Mohamed Mounir, who passed away in July 2020. The course, held under the aegis of Daily News Africa, featured a distinguished lineup of lecturers specializing in journalism and media.

Anthropology researcher and international activist Hassan Ghazaly, founder of the AfroMedia Initiative, emphasized that the course was offered free of charge and named in honor of Mohamed Mounir. Mounir, a journalist at Al-Gomhuria newspaper, was renowned for his dedication to journalism and his patriotic contributions highlighting Egypt's role in Africa and the Global South.​

Over three days, participants engaged in sessions covering a range of pertinent topics:​

·       Day One: Ahmed Mahmoud, Managing Editor of the Ahram Online English portal, discussed "Digital Journalism." Mohamed Samir, Editor-in-Chief of Daily News Africa, shared insights on "The Experience of Ahram Online and Daily News Africa." Dr. Ayman Adly, Head of the Training and Education Committee at the Media Syndicate and a member of the African Journalists Union, elaborated on "The Key Attributes of a Good Media Professional."​

·       Day Two: Investigative journalist Mohamed Magdy Abouzeid led a session on "Using Artificial Intelligence to Detect Misinformation in Images and Videos." Additionally, Mohamed Al-Mamlouk, Editor-in-Chief of Cairo 24, discussed "The Experience of Using Artificial Intelligence in Journalism."​

·       Day Three: Dr. Osama Al-Qadi, a seasoned journalist with extensive experience in media training and academia, presented on "AI Tools in Media Content Creation." Journalist and international trainer Iman Al-Warraqi, founder of the Artificial Intelligence Revolution Initiative, conducted a session titled "AI Creativity: Strategies and Techniques for Innovative Content Creation."​

The course culminated with several key recommendations from experts and participants:​

·       Fostering positive relations between the peoples of the Nile Valley.​

·       Protecting youth from cultural invasion through education and heritage-based initiatives.​

·       Integrating local cultural content into educational curricula to enhance national and cultural identity.​

·       Encouraging local artists and writers to produce works reflecting cultural identity and inspiring youth.​

·       Considering potential joint projects and reviewing the media's role in shaping social and cultural influences in Arab and Islamic societies.​

·       Establishing an online platform to facilitate cultural and social connections among Nile Valley communities.​

·       Increasing training courses for media professionals, especially in artificial intelligence.​

·       Organizing visits to major Egyptian media institutions to enrich trainees' experiences.​

·       Strengthening the AfroMedia Initiative’s role in media and cultural activities in Sudan once security conditions stabilize.​

·       Emphasizing the necessity of employing artificial intelligence technologies in contemporary media, particularly in visual and audio broadcasting.​

On the final day, participants expressed gratitude to the Egyptian state and the AfroMedia Initiative. Certificates were awarded, and trainers were honored. The participants organized a banquet featuring Sudanese and Egyptian delicacies, symbolizing cultural and social closeness. They also collectively sang the song of the late Sudanese icon Dr. Abdel Karim AlKabli, “Egypt, O Sister of My Country,” accompanied by the melodies of the Nile Valley.​

The AfroMedia Initiative, operating under the slogan “The Voice of Egypt… The Voice of Africa,” was founded by Hassan Ghazaly in February 2021. It aims to strengthen journalistic and media relations between Egypt and African nations, develop the skills of journalists to accurately portray Africa's image, foster media cooperation among African peoples, and serve as a media bridge between Egyptians and other African communities.